By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru,Princess of Harare
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (News of The South) – Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who led the southern African nation from 2015 to 2021, will be buried in Johannesburg, South Africa, a decision stemming from a deepening rift between his family and the Zambian government over funeral arrangements. The unprecedented move means a former head of state of another country will be interred in South Africa, marking a significant diplomatic turn.
The unexpected development led Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to abruptly cut short a period of national mourning for Lungu on Thursday. Lungu’s funeral had been scheduled for Sunday in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, following an initial period of national mourning that was extended.
The dispute escalated when Lungu’s family refused to allow his body to be repatriated from South Africa as planned. The family cited “continued disagreements” with the Zambian government, particularly regarding the involvement of President Hichilema, a long-standing political rival of the late Lungu. Reports suggest Lungu himself had expressed a wish for Hichilema not to be present at his funeral.
“Our country cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning,” President Hichilema stated in a televised address, expressing surprise at the family’s refusal to release Lungu’s body for repatriation and apologizing to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the “unfortunate impasse.” He asserted that Zambia had done “everything possible to engage the family” to facilitate a state funeral.
The Lungu family, through their spokesperson, confirmed the burial will take place in Johannesburg in “dignity and peace,” thanking the South African government for allowing the interment. They stated they would announce the date for the private ceremony later.
Lungu died in a Pretoria hospital earlier this month after a period of undisclosed illness. His ailment had not been publicly disclosed, though earlier reports indicated he had sought to travel abroad for treatment, but had allegedly been blocked from leaving the country – a claim officials have denied. Some close to Lungu have suggested that timely treatment could have altered the outcome.
The extraordinary circumstances surrounding Lungu’s burial have brought to the fore complex dynamics often seen in African leadership transitions and the deeply rooted cultural beliefs surrounding death and power. In many African societies, the passing of a leader is not merely a personal event but one laden with immense spiritual and political significance.
Traditional beliefs often dictate that deceased leaders may have left specific instructions regarding their burials, driven by a conviction that reigning leaders might seek to manipulate their remains for ritualistic purposes, aiming to consolidate or inherit power. While sounding suspicious to outsiders, these concerns are deeply ingrained in some African traditional belief systems, where the spirit world is believed to heavily influence the living.
Furthermore, in cases where families suspect foul play or believe an individual is responsible for a loved one’s death, traditional leaders may be consulted to invite the spirit of the deceased, seeking an “avenging spirit” (often referred to as ‘ngozi’) to haunt or torment the perceived perpetrator or their family. These beliefs underscore the profound desire for justice and spiritual accountability within these cultural frameworks.
The current standoff over former President Lungu’s burial highlights a collision of modern political protocol with deep-seated traditional anxieties and personal animosities, creating an unprecedented situation that transcends national borders. As Zambia grapples with the aftermath, the decision to bury its former leader on foreign soil will undoubtedly remain a subject of much discussion and reflection across the continent.
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